Operator&#39;s key.



PATENTS!) NOV. 27, 1906.

A. CARI-1S3.

OPERATOR'S KEY.

uruou'mx nun 3.1, 1901.

ments of the class specified whereby a the segmental base of a key or switch lever UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

ALBERT OARLISS, OF CHICAGO, iLLIllOlS. ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ELECTRIC TELEPHGNE COMPANY, OF UHlCAGO, ILLINOIS. ACOR- PORATION.

OPEFIATORS KEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT Cannrss, a citizen of the United States of Alnerica, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Operators Keys, of which the ollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to im rovements in rin mg and listening keys use in connection wit operators devices at central ofiices in telephone-exchanges, though it is apparent that it could be used for other switching purposes and in other relations. a

It has for its objects the simplification of the construction and arrangement of instru cheaper and more eflicient device is secured and one in which the listening-contactswill remain connected with the line or the cordcircuit without constantly holding it in connected position and in which the generator is thrown upon the line only so long as the key is held in ringing position.

A further obgect is the provision of a key having the above characteristics and in which the contacts are arranged vertically, whereby but a small space is required on the apron of the switchboard and the wiring is more easily attached thereto and requires but little space beneath the apron.

To these ends the invention consistsin a switch or key having a small rectangular to or face plate having a slot therein, in which vibrates, so as to at all times fill the same,

that is pivoted beneath the plate in depending lugs forming art of the side plates of the switch-fra1na he latter depend from the lower side or face of the top late and are rec-- tangular or square, as may he desired. The contact-springs are arran ed verticall so as to require small room an to obtain st or advantages of construction, and are held near their lower ends in slots formed in insulating-blocks, and as there are two sets of such springs two such blocks are provided with the s ots facing each other, and to bind the. springs therein and at the same time insulate t em a thin stri of insulation is placed be tween such bloc s, when the whole is placed between the lower edges of the side plates and firmly clamped and secured therein by screws passing completely through all. The springs forming the movable contacts project abovethe others and are adapted to be eng ed by insulating-rollers carried by the keyever, the springs at one side of the keylever being so formed as to hold the lever in its thrown position, but to return it to normal position as soon as released.

The invention further consists in the novel construction and combinations of arts hereinafter described and latertpointe out in the claims, reference being he to the accompanyin drawings, forming a part hereof, in whlc the same reference characters represent like parts throughout the several views,

and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch or key. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig.3 is an end elevation of the device. Fig. 4 is a per spective view of the key-lever and its connected parts. Fig. 5 is a view showing in detail the means for holding the springs, and Fi 6 is a diagrammatic view of a cord-circart with the key applied thereto.

In the figures is seen the top plate 2 of the instrument, which consists o a rectangular piece of metal having a central slot 3, through which the segmental base 4 of the key-lever 5 proiects and in which it is adapted to vibrate, the slot 3 bein cut in the plate to closely lit the segmental base 4, both at its sides and on its periphery, whereby it is always filled, so that but little dust can work therethrough.

From the lower side of the late 2 extend the side pieces or plates 6 of t e instrument, which are formed integrally or otherwise with the said top plate 2 and are apertured, as at 7, to make a lighter construction and to open the same for pu oses of ins ection and re airs. Between t 0 lower ges of these p ates are secured insulatin -blocks 8, which are slotted on their inner aces, said slots being arranged in groups, and between the strips is placed a thin strip 9, also of insulating material. Within these slots 10 are held theivarious contact strips and springs forming the switch-terminals, two pairs of three springs each, 1 1, 12, and 13, being shown on one side of the switch and two pairs of two springs each, 14 and 15, at the other side. They are placed vertically with their lower ends or nearly at their lower ends in the slots 10 in the insulating-pieces 8 and are separated by the thin stri 9 between the pieces, and the whole is c amped together between the side plates 6 by screws 16 passing through the two side members 6 o the switch-frame. These s rings project beneath the body of the switch for convenience in connecting the same with the circuit-Wires, and, as shown, their ends are unevenly disposed to facilitate the same object. Their upper ends may have s ring-pressed contactpoints, as at l1 in ig. 2. One spring of each group is flexible and projects above the others and into the path of the insulatingrollers 17, mounted upon the tilting frame 18, which is centrally pivotedbetween lugs 19, forming part of the said side frames 6, and depending from the upper edges of the same down into the apertures 7 in the said side frames 6. This tilting frame 18 is made of a sheet-brass punching or of other material and in other ways and has a central flat web 20, centrally apertured for a bolt 22, and is secured to the lower edge of said segmental lever-base 4 by said bolt 22, a flattened and hollowed-out portion 4 in said base 4 being provided for the purpose. At each end of the web the downwardly-bent flanges or webs 23 are provided, each of which have lu s or arms 24 projecting endwise or horizontal y therefrom and between which the airs of insulating-rollers 1'7 are journaled. The said side plates 23 have central pivot or journal holes, through which extends the pivot or journal 25, upon which the lever vibrates. This construction results in a simple yet strong and durable lever.

The upper ends of the longer springs are so bent as to be thrown over into contact with the outer set of terminals, which may be comparatively stiff, when the key is thrown over toward that side. On one side the springs 15 are so formed at their up er .ends t at when the key is thrown over to t at side, as in full lines in Fig. 2, it remains in that position until positively returned or started on its return movement. The springs 15 lpress upon the rollers in such a way as to old the key in its thrown position-that is, above a line joining the axis of the roller and the ivot 25; but as soon as the key is started bad? to its normal position the force of the spring assists in this action and it is returned to normal position. are so formed as at all times to tend to return the key-lever to its normal position.

The key-lever 26 forms an extension of the lDO1L 4 is provided with a handle or knob f ebony er other desired material. This y is f to be used, as stated, in an 0 y S cord'ch uit, the two strands of the circuit 28 and 29 (86, g 6) i g normally connected together ti the Spring cOn L068 11 i 12 adapted to be broken b ressmg ing contacts 12 over aglnnst the Outslde. rminals 13, the latter bemg connected the ringing-generator 30 y conductors 30 On the other side of The other springs 12 the switch the spring-contacts 15 are designed to be connected with the operators tele hone 31 and to be thrown into contact witli the outside terminals 14, which are connected by branch wires 33 with the cordstrands 28 and 29 totheplugs 34 and 35, which are adapted to be inserted in the jacks 36 of the subscribers lines. It is obvious that the switch could be used in other relations than the one described, and I accordingly do not wish to be limited thereto.

From the above-described construction it will be seen that a convenient and efficient key is rovided, one that consists of few arts and w 'ch is cheap to manufacture, an one that is durable under all conditions of use.

Moreover, the fact that the contact-springs are arranged vertically enables the body of the key to assume small dimensions horizontally, which'is an advantage in switchboard installations where the horizontal space is limited and the same arrangement permits better facilities for wiring when it is installed or removed for repairing. The insulating-rollers, besides offering an antifriction device, affords a complete insulation of the springs when operated upon.

To install the key, it is only necessary to provide a rectangular a erture in the switchboard apron or table 0 a size to fit the body of the ke which is then dropped therein and secured in placeby screws assing through the top plate, one near each corner, into the apron, the circuit-wires being attached beneath the table to the lower ends of the contact-springs. The plate 2 would probabl be let into the board flush with its upper su ace, so that all that would roject above the surface of the apron woul be the handle 26 and knob 27.

It will be seen that the circuits in which the switch-springs are included do not include the rollers on the key-lever. These rollers are of insulating material and are consequently excluded from the switchboard-circuits.

I do not wish the invention to be limited to the precise details shown, as I hold it to include all such changes and modifications as fairly fall Within the sco e thereof; but

What I do claim, an desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A switch-key comprising a suitable body or bracket plate, a lever pivoted on said body or bracket plate, a pair of rolls mounted on the lower portion of said lever, said rolls being mounted at opposite sides of the ivotal point of said lever, one roll rising w en the other falls, flexible contact-s rings suitably mounted in insulation and extendin vertically from their insulating-support, said springs being arranged in two groups, one for each roll, each roll being thus arranged to engage and operate the upper end of a group of springs, and suitable circuits excluding said lever and rolls and controlled by said springs.

2. In a combined ringing and listening key, the combination of a key or movable member, listening contact-springs adapted and arranged to be operated by said key or movable member, one or more of said listening contactsprin s being adapted to maintain said key or move le member in a position to hold the listening-contacts closed, and also to hold said key or movable member in its normal position, ringing contact-springs arranged to be operated y said key or movable member, one or more of said ringing contact-springs being adapted to prevent the key or movab e member from remaining in a osition to hold the ringing'contacts closed, a of said slprings rising vertically from a bottom of insu ation and suitable circuits excluding said lever an rolls and controlled by said springs. 7

3. A combined ringing and listening key comprising a. pivoted hand-lever, listening contact-springs, one or more of said listening contact-springs being adapted to engage and hold said lever in its inclined position, and

ringing contact-springs arranged in position to be operated by said lever, one or more of said ringing contact-springs being adapted to prevent said lever from remaining in an inclined position, all of said springs rising from a bottom of insulation, and suitable circuits excluding said lever and rolls and controlled by said springs.

4. In a combined ringing and listening key, the combination of four listening contact strips or springs, two for each side of the cordcircuit, a pivoted lever for operating said listening contact strips or springs, one or more of said listening contact-springs being adapted to maintain said lever in a position to hold the listening-contacts closed, six ringing contact springs or strips arranged to be operated by said lever, there being three ringing strips or springs for each side of the cordcircuit, one or more of said ringing contactsprings being adapted to prevent the lever from remaining in an inclined position, the" ringing-contacts thereby being self-opening, all of said springs rising from a bottom of insulation, and suitable circuits excluding said lever and rolls and controlled by said springs.

5 A combined rin ing and listening'key comprising a pivote( hand-lever, listening contact-s rings adapted and arranged to be operated ysaid lever, one or more of said listening contact-springs bein ada ted to hold said lever in a position to c ose t e listeningcontacts,ai1d also to hold said lever in its normal upright position, ringing contact-springs adapted and arranged to be operated by said lever, one or more of said ringing contactsprings being adapted to prevent said lever from remaining in a position to close the ring ingcontaets, all of said springs rising from a bottom of insulation, and suitable sire-nits exeluding said lever and rolls and controlled by said springs.

6. A combined ringing and listening key, comprising a pivoted handlcver, said lever having its lower portion formed with oppositely-projeeting swinging arms, one arm being adapted to rise and the other to fall, listening contact-springs adapted and arranged to be operated by one of said arms, one or more of said listening contact-springs being adapted to hold said lever in an inclined position, and to also hold said lever in its normal or upright position, ringing contact-springs adapted and arranged to be operated by one of said arms, one or more of said ringin contact-springs being adapted to prevent t 1e lever from remaining in an inclined position, and all of said springs rising from a bottom of insulation.

7. A combined ringing and listening key comprising a pivoted lever, a pair of opposi ply-arranged rolls carried by said lever, said rolls being arranged one at each side of the axis of said lever, listening contect springs arranged to beoperatedbyoneofsaidrolls,oneor more (if said listening contact-springs being adapted to hold the lever in an inclined position, so as to keep the listening-contacts closed, ringing contact-springs arranged to be operated by the other of said rolls, one or more of said ringin contact-springs being adapted to prevent i316 lever from remaining in an inclined position, said ringing-contacts thereby being self-opening, and all of said springs rising from a bottom of insulation.

8. in an operators key, the combination with a top plate having an aperture therein, a key-lever pivotally supported on the plate and having ontwardly-cxtcnding arms, rollers journaled in said arms, sets of contact-springs supported from said top plate and vertically arranged, their free ends being adjacent the said rollers, one sprin of each set being ado Tied to be engaged my a roller on one of so) arms when the lover is tilted in that d1- rection, and one or more of said springs havlever beneath the top plate, insnlatingrollers journaled on said armsfinsulating-strips having slots therein located between the lower edges of said side plates, and contact-springs in said slots extending vertically to a oint adiaeent said insulatin -rollers, some 0 said springs projeotin intot e path of said rollers and adapted to o acted upon thereby, the said prqecting springs on one side of thelever being so formed as to hold the lever when it is thrown to that side.

10. In a listening and ringing key, the combination with a top plate, of side plates depending therefrom, insulating-strips secured between the lower edges of said plates, eontacf-springs carried by said strips and extending vertically therefrom, and a key-lever journaled between said side pieces and having insulating-rollers adapted to act upon the free ends of said contact-springs and having a segmental base extending through a corresponding slot in the top plate.

11. In an operators ringing and listening key, the combination with a top plate having a slot therein, a pivoted key-lever having a segmental base portion projecting through said slot, and provided with a bracket carrying roller means, the ends of said slot being formed to closely fit the curved edge of the segmental base portion and the sides of the slot also closely fitting the sides of the segmental base portion, whereb dust is prevented from working through the slot, and switch-springs rising from a bottom of iIlSlT- lation, and operated by the said key-lever, said bracket having arms provided with said roller means for operating the springs, one arm rising when the other falls, and suitable provisions whereby the axis or axes of the roller means for operating the switch-springs extends or extend at an angle to a line or linesdrawn from the axis of the operatinglever, said imaginary line or lines passing through said axis or axes, and (he said axis or axes extending at an angle to the plane in which the said lever swings or rocks.

12. In an operators listening and ringing key, the combination with a top plate having an elongated slot therein, of side plates depending from the lower side of said top plate, a key-lever comprising a segmental base adapted to fill said elongated slot at all times,

a handle portion extending therefrom above the plate, a bottom portion secured to the lower side of said segmental base and having horizontally-extending arms and pivoted at its central portion between the side plates, insulating-rollers carried by said arms, vertical contact-springs supported at their lower ends by insulation between the lower portions of the side plates, said springs having upper ends extending into the path of the vibratin rollers.

13. n an operators listening and ringing key, the combination with a top plate having an elongated slot therein, of side plates depending from the lower side of said top plate, a key-lever comprising a segmental base adapted to fill said elongated slot at all times, a handle portion extending therefrom above the plate, a bottom portion secured to the lower side of said segmental base and having horizontally-extending arms and pivoted at its central portion between the side plates, insulating-rollers carried by said arms, vertical contact-springs supported at their lower ends by insulation between the lower portions of the side plates, their upper ends extending into the path of the vibrating rollers, the u per ends of said springs on one side of the l ver being bent so as to hold the roller when the lever is pressed to that side, and to return the roller to normal position when the lever is started back.

14. In an operators ringing and listening key, the combmation with a top plate having a slot therein, a pivoted key-lever having a segmental base portion projecting throu 11 said slot, and provided with a bracket, the ends of said slot being formed to closely fit the curved edge of the segmental base portion and the sides of the slot also closely fitting the sides of the segmental base portion, whereby dust is prevented from working through the slot, and switclrsprings rising from a bottom of insulation supported below the said plate and operated by the said keylever, the said bracket being provided with roller means for engaging said switch-springs, and suitable provisions whereby the axis or axes of the roller means for operating the switch-springs extends or extend at an an le to a line or lines drawn from the axis of t e operating-lever, said imaginary line or lines passing through s:- id axis or axes, and the said axis or axes extending at an angle to the plane in which the said lever swings or rocks.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 23d day of March, 1901.

ALBERT CARLISS.

Witnesses CHAS. C. BULKLEY, H. P. CLAUSEN. 

